Here are nine reasons you need to grow food now!

1. You know what you’re growing and putting into your body
   When you cultivate your own food, there is no doubt about what you’re eating. You had control from seed, to soil, amendments, harvesting, and storing. You know what is in your food.
2. You’ve gained the ability for food independence.
   By growing seeds that are open-pollinated and heirloom, you can save seeds. You can also clone your plants, creating more food from the same genes and plant stock. By having control over your plants and seeds, you become dependent on yourself, not a system.
3. Your food cost doesn’t increase at the whim of the system.
   You keep control of the costs of your food when you garden. It’s less expensive than the stores, which also gives you the ability to stock your cabinets for less money. Keeping your grocery bill down and consistent means no surprises at the check-out counter.
4. You’ll always have food.
   Yes, you must learn about seasonal growing and plan accordingly. And there will be times when some of your garden food won’t grow. But you are in control and can replant, plant something else, and learn about different methods of gardening, to help limit low food times.
5. Keep varieties of food alive and prospering from year to year.
   When you find the perfect fruit or vegetable of your liking, you don’t have to depend on someone else growing it for you. And you don’t have to depend on a seed company when you save seeds. This gives you the choice of what variety of everything you eat without asking permission.
6. Eat cleaner – No GMOs or bio-engineered food or chemicals.
   No pesticide ridden food in your home. GMOs, bio-engineering, and pesticides have become the “go to” position in the global food market. By growing your own garden, you can eliminate all pesticides and genetically modified food from your food sources.
7. Eating fresher gives you better nutrients, which creates a healthier you.
   Did you know food loses nutrients once it’s picked? Some food like broccoli loses more nutrients the further you get away from harvesting. Picking tomatoes when ripe gives you nutrient rich food immediately without waiting for it to ripen. UC Davis, has a pdf regarding nutrient value of fresh, canned, and frozen vegetables if you want more information.
8. Helping your community grow and eat locally.
   Not everyone can grow their own food for many reasons. If you can learn to garden, your skills will directly help your community eat healthier. By growing your own garden, you can share with others in your community. This allows for a decentralized means of eating. Giving control back to individual communities and taking it away from big industry.
9. Whoever controls your food, controls you. By growing your own food, you take the control back. You dictate your food freedom instead of giving the power to others.